Headteacher, Matthew Hardwick, said: “As ever, I am exceptionally proud of everyone at UVHS and today, our outgoing Year 11 cohort in particular, who performed so well in this summer’s examinations.  Today we are celebrating their amazing achievements both inside and outside the classroom, experiencing a great balance of academic achievement alongside participation in our wide-ranging additional provision – indeed the vast majority have taken advantage of this by participating in at least one activity outside the curriculum, whether it be in one of our incredibly successful sports’ teams, our outstanding music, drama and or dance shows, the incredibly popular Duke of Edinburgh scheme, technology/cooking/art clubs… to name but a few.

Today’s KS4 results are showing us that our students have applied themselves to their academic studies just as enthusiastically as they have to their other activities.  They have demonstrated a growing maturity and resilience to give themselves the very best possible foundation to launch themselves into adulthood and be successful in whatever field they choose, whether that be continuing their studies at A Level, opting for different levels of qualifications at a neighbouring college or embarking on an apprenticeship.

I must also credit the incredible staff here at UVHS, both teaching and non-teaching, who have (as usual) worked tirelessly with this cohort since Year 7. Their dedication and selfless determination to give the students at UVHS the very best start to adulthood, both in terms of academic progress and social/emotional development, always amazes me and, on top of last week’s A Level results, demonstrates that this is a true community school.

Congratulations to everyone in Year 11, not only at UVHS but throughout the the Westmorland & Furness authority - we wish all our students the very best of luck in their chosen paths as they take their next steps.”

There was a lot of whooping and cheering as our Year 11s collected their GCSE results

today.  The school is so proud of each and every one of them!

This is what some of them had to say….

William achieved 999999765 and already studies Music at the Royal Northern College of Music – “Very relieved! The grades are what I’d hoped for but still in shock. The hardest subject for me was English but I am delighted with my 9 in Computer Science and all the other 9s.  I’m staying at UVHS to study Music, Maths, Further Maths and Chemistry before hopefully going to music college or university to study music.”

Eden achieved some exceptional grades and felt “Great!” about her 999988876 grades. “I had really worried about English but it all worked out.  I worked really hard and it has paid off – I want to study medicine at university so will stay at UVHS to take Maths, Biology and Chemistry.  I just need to celebrate tonight  - my family are taking me to an Italian restaurant.”

Daniel achieved 999998865 and said – “I thought the exams had gone really well and I’m delighted with a 9 in Computer Science. I’m staying at UVHS to study Physics Maths & German and hoping to go to flight school after that to become a pilot.”  Daniel’s friend Tom was “Very happy overall” with his 988888866 grades. “I am just a couple of marks of a 9 in several subjects which is disappointing but I am proud of my 9 in Chemistry. I want to study Medicine after 6^th form so will stay at UVHS for my A Levels.”

Lewis received 99887776 M2 and said “I know Business Studies went really well but only expected 6s and 5s after that, so these are great – I thought I had really messed up Science. I’m going out for an Italian tonight to celebrate and will then return to UVHS to study History, Business and Law – I then want to study Law at university.”

Ava was “Ecstatic!! I thought I’d done well in a couple of subjects but these results [9987777 D2*] are better than I could ever hope for – this is the best day of my life!  I was revising for up to 30 hours a week on top of school for the last few months but it has all been worth it -  want to become an English teacher so will stay here to do my A Levels before going to university.”

Ben was “delighted with my 9 in Business – it’s amazing, as well as my 7 in English Language.  I thought I’d done OK in the exams but to get 98877765 D2 is just great.”  Ben has already started a scholarship with Carlisle FC and moved up there in July to start training – he is living with another scholar in a family house and hopes that he can get the break that all young footballers dream of.

Grace achieved 99988877 D2* - “I’m a bit mixed at the moment – I’ve done really well in my weakest subjects but not as well as I had hoped in my strongest. However, to get a 9 in Language was a lovely surprise.  I want to go to university to study Sports’ Science after I have finished A Levels here at UVHS.”

Woody said he is “really happy” with his 998887766. “After all the Science exams I thought I might have a chance of good grades, so a 99 is amazing. My 8 in Computer Science is also better than I could hop for.  I want to go to university in 2 years but am not sure what to study yet – I’m taking Physics, Maths, Geography and German here at UVHS as my A Levels.”